Monthly Archives: March, 2014

MAR 15, 2014 The pressure against Putin for invading Ukraine against International law, as tens of thousands took to the streets in Moscow to protest his outrageous 19th century warlike aggression. Above is a pic and Tweet from EuroMaidan PR. Read more on HuffPo here.

MAR 14, 2014 - Musical-activist Jared Leto gave a shout out to the people of Ukraine, Venezuela and elsewhere around the world fighting for their freedom and what he calls "the privilege of owning yourself" in his Oscar speech, and Wednesday night he and his band played a concert in Kiev and it became quite a show with not only great music, but he also connected with the Ukrainian people and their struggle leading them with a "Glory to Ukraine" chant.  He even brought some Ukrainian citizens on stage and asking them their name, what town they are from, and really making this struggle personal and even hugging one fan at one point and the crowd cheered. Watch Jared Leto with Ukrainian fans below, and listen to an awesome version of "Bright Lights" at the same concert here.

MAR 13, 2014 - US Attorney General Eric Holder has announced that the US Justice Department will adopt new policies that will result in shorter sentences, shaving off as much as 25% of the mandatory minimum sentences they were subjected to before. JTMP does applaud this, but we feel we need to go even further and treat drug issues like the health problem issues they are, and not with handcuffs, courts and prison. Read more about this exciting development on HuffPO here.

MAR 13, 2014 - It's National Cannabis Industry Association Lobby Week here in DC, and entrepreneur job creating marijuana merchants are descending on Capitol Hill and visiting US Representatives and Senators and lobbying for many things such as allowing banks to do business with them instead of always having to deal in cash (and some banks wont take cash smelling like marijuana), and removing marijuana from the Schedule 1 List; because marijuana has been clearly shown to have a myriad of medicinal uses. This is grassroots citizen-lobbying at the grassroots level demanding our government servants respond to the needs and wishes of the public that elected them and pays their salary. It is time the federal government once and for all clarify marijuana and hemp as 100% legal commodities in our market, and allow these job creators a free and fair market to do their work in. JTMP urges you to call your US Representative, and tell them to support Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) and his letter demanding President Obama remove marijuana from the Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act. The DEA acts under the Executive Branch, and President Obama DOES have the power to remove it, regardless of what he may say in public. To find out more check out the National Cannabis Industry Association website.

MAR 11, 2014 - 9 different organizations have come together and launched the website "Artists and the Affordable Care Act" to get artists and musicians informed on what the Affordable Care Act law means, what their options are, and to help them enroll in a health insurance plan. Future of Music Coalition, HeadCount, Young Invincibles and many others have created a "task force" to "help creatives learn more and take action on health care". They point out how US-based artists are less likely to have health insurance then the general public, unsure about the Affordable Care Act, and they are seeking advice.  On their website are great FAQs, and posts about the dozens of events around the country getting musicians informed and signed up for health insurance in seminars, workshops, meetups and other events. Get your health care insurance questions answered and find events on the Artists and the Affordable Care Act website.